Abstract
Objective: This study aims to examine the relationship between challenges experienced by older people in COVID-19 and depression. The findings are expected to guide intervention approaches for other older people and for other groups whose mental health may be more severely affected.
Methods: Quantitative telephone survey data were collected from a random sample of 1200 older Chinese aged 60 or above in Shenzhen. Challenges experienced by older people were evaluated by 16 self-constructed items measuring four different types of challenges encountered by the older people. Mental health was represented by depression, measured by the 4-item Chinese Geriatric Depression Scale (Yeong & Chan, 2004). Logistic regression analysis was used to test the associations between the various challenges faced by older people and the likelihood of being depressive.
Results: Older people who are 70 years old and above were 1.394 times (95% Cl: 1.074, 1.809) more likely to become depressed. When controlled for demographics, the higher level of challenges in “abuse and conflicts” and “disease management and information” were associated with being depressive. People who score one unit higher in challenges related to “abuse and conflicts” and “disease management and information” were 1.157 times (95% Cl: 1.099, 1.219) and 1.046 times (95% Cl: 1.010, 1.083) more likely to be detected as depressive.
Conclusion: Interventions to support the older age group, enhance disease prevention and management should be further improved. Elder abuse and family conflicts should be a priority focus of counselling support and community education.
Methods: Quantitative telephone survey data were collected from a random sample of 1200 older Chinese aged 60 or above in Shenzhen. Challenges experienced by older people were evaluated by 16 self-constructed items measuring four different types of challenges encountered by the older people. Mental health was represented by depression, measured by the 4-item Chinese Geriatric Depression Scale (Yeong & Chan, 2004). Logistic regression analysis was used to test the associations between the various challenges faced by older people and the likelihood of being depressive.
Results: Older people who are 70 years old and above were 1.394 times (95% Cl: 1.074, 1.809) more likely to become depressed. When controlled for demographics, the higher level of challenges in “abuse and conflicts” and “disease management and information” were associated with being depressive. People who score one unit higher in challenges related to “abuse and conflicts” and “disease management and information” were 1.157 times (95% Cl: 1.099, 1.219) and 1.046 times (95% Cl: 1.010, 1.083) more likely to be detected as depressive.
Conclusion: Interventions to support the older age group, enhance disease prevention and management should be further improved. Elder abuse and family conflicts should be a priority focus of counselling support and community education.
| Original language | English |
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| Publication status | Published - 28 Apr 2022 |
| Event | 9th Global Social Sciences Graduate Student e-Conference - Zoom Meeting, Hong Kong Duration: 28 Apr 2022 → … https://sosc.hkbu.edu.hk/en/news_and_events/event_calendar/9thconf/ (Conference website) https://sosc.hkbu.edu.hk/upload/news_event/496/self/upupdatedbooklet.pdf (Conference booklet) |
Conference
| Conference | 9th Global Social Sciences Graduate Student e-Conference |
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| Country/Territory | Hong Kong |
| Period | 28/04/22 → … |
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